Kent residential architect Tim Ball recently visited the Maidstone campus of MidKent College today to give 25 students an insight into how he uses the latest Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIMX) software to design architecture for private clients in Kent and Sussex.

The event was part of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) national Love Architecture Festival (15-24 June ) which aims to celebrate the architecture of buildings, streets and neighbourhoods through a range of action-packed activities for all ages, including walks, talks, tours, films, bike rides, competitions, exhibitions and family workshops. Other Kent events include an exhibition of local artists, photographs, watercolours and etchings of notable buildings in Tunbridge Wells and an exhibition showcasing the work of graduating students from the Kent School of Architecture in Canterbury.

The audience was made up of 1st and 2nd year students (16-19 years old) on the Extended Diploma Level 3 Computer Aided Drafting and Design for Construction course, and the Extended Diploma Level 3 Graphical Detailing in Construction and the Built Environment course. Many of the students have never worked before so the talk was intended both to inform and inspire them. Some part-time students also attended as well as a number of lecturers.

As Tim Ball said, We wanted to bring architecture alive for the students by showing them just how exciting a career in architecture and the related trades can be using state-of-the art technology to design concepts, refine ideas and create wonderful spaces in which to live, work, relax and entertain."

Tim Ball started his talk with some RIBA slides which use the example of the London 2012 Olympic Aquatic Centre to explain how architects often study their initial concepts on CAD, especially if the structure is a unique form and drawing by hand would be complicated. He then focused on a contemporary swimming pool designed by his Kent architecture firm, jhd Architects, for a client in Sevenoaks. He explained how he used ArchiCad and 3D modelling software to develop and refine the initial concept, produce construction and detail drawings to explain the arrangement of the building, carry out structural analysis with engineers and other consultants, and produce rendered 3D visualizations of the buildings interior to help the client understand how the space would look and feel. In the garden of a Grade 2 listed building, the new pool building has an architecturally bold and technically challenging roof structure, which twelve MidKent carpentry students recently viewed under construction in a barn in Chart Sutton. Roof designs, both low-profile and dramatic, are a key feature of jhd Architects project portfolio.

Martin Pearson, Managing Director of TB&R Builders in Cranbrook and former MidKent College carpentry student, was also present to talk about his experience of using Tim Ball's drawings and 3D model to build the scheme.

Sue Graham, Programme Area Leader, Building and Civil Engineering Department, said, This is the second time MidKent College students have benefited from jhd Architects and TB&Rs expertise. Twelve of our carpentry students recently saw the construction of the contemporary pool roof and to follow up with an insight into how it was designed is just fantastic. The talk was excellent; very well planned and organized. We all very much enjoyed it.

17-year old Charlotte Wood, a student on the Graphical Detailing course commented The talk gave me a real insight into the world of engineering using CAD and BIM from both the contractors and architects perspective making it useful for my future career. It was absolutely brilliant and Tim has offered me some work experience!

Only time will tell what these architecture students will be inspired to create as a result of this presentation.

About jhd Architects

Tim Ball is a chartered member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and principal with jhd Architects, a RIBA Chartered architectural practice based in Sevenoaks and Benenden, Kent. jhd Architects specializes in contemporary architecture designed for private clients in Kent and Sussex using state-of-the-art 3D technology which allows them to walk around their building before it is built. Examples of their unique designs can be found in their portfolio of Kent architectural projects. They are always happy to share their architectural expertise with young people preparing for a career in architecture and related trades.

The photos in this press release are courtesy of http://kentmessenger.newsprints.co.uk/customer_service/334/

jhd Architects

Cottenden, Stepneyford Lane, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent

TN17 4BW, United Kingdom

+44 1580 243070

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